Crossover Nissan Murano Z52 (2015–2026) is a stylish and comfortable car, but even it requires individuality. Owners are often faced with a dilemma: leave the factory equipment or turn the car into a unique project. Tuning Z52 allows you to solve two key problems: improve dynamics and make the exterior memorable, without sacrificing reliability.
In this article we will look at 10 tuning directions - from simple vinyl sticking to complex ECU flashing, and we will also cut the secret of the factory “weakness” of the Murano Z52: why after 100 thousand km the suspension requires a mandatory upgrade. You will learn which modifications are justified for urban use and which are suitable for off-road use, as well as how to avoid common mistakes when choosing spare parts.
1. Engine and transmission: how to unlock the potential of the VQ35DE
Heart Murano Z52 - petrol V6 3.5 VQ35DE (260 hp) - known for its reliability, but it also has room for improvement. Main areas of tuning:
- 🔥 Chip tuning: Reflashing the ECU increases power to 280–300 hp without mechanical modifications. Popular firmware: Cobb Accessport or UpRev.
- 💨 Inlet/outlet: Installation cold intake (For example, K&N 57-9044) and spider 4-2-1 adds 15–20 hp when configured correctly.
- ⚡ Turbocharging: Sets from Stillen or GReddy increase power to 350+ hp, but require strengthening of the transmission.
- 🛢️ Oil system: Replacing the oil pump with N1 and installation additional radiator saves the engine from overheating during aggressive driving.
Warning: when installing the turbine necessarily change the clutch to Performance Clutch (For example, Spec Stage 2+). Clutch disc Z52 cannot withstand torque above 380 Nm and burns out within 5–10 thousand km.
- Chip tuning
- Inlet/outlet
- Turbocharging
- I don't plan anything
| Tuning type | Power gain | Cost (RUB) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip tuning | +20–40 hp | 30 000–50 000 | ⭐ |
| Cold intake + spider | +15–25 hp | 60 000–90 000 | ⭐⭐ |
| Turbokit (low boost) | +80–100 hp | 400 000–600 000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Strengthening the transmission | — | 150 000–250 000 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
2. Suspension: from comfort to sporty handling
Factory suspension Murano Z52 designed for softness, but after 80–100 thousand km the shock absorbers and bushings wear out and knocking noises appear. Suspension tuning solves two problems: restore comfort or make handling sharper.
Modification options:
- 🔧 Replacing shock absorbers: Bilstein B4 or KYB Excel-G for factory comfort; Tein Street Basis Z or BC Racing BR for understatement.
- 📏 Springs: Eibach Pro-Kit lowers the crossover by
30–40 mmwithout loss of progress. - 🔄 Polyurethane bushings: Sets from Energy Suspension remove "play" in the levers.
- 🚗 Anti-roll bars: Hotchkis or Addco reduce roll in corners by 30–40%.
When understating Murano Z52 more than 40 mm, be sure to install adjustable stabilizer links - otherwise a metallic grinding sound will be heard on bumps.
Critical rookie mistake: Many people install stiff springs (for example, H&R Sport) for worn shock absorbers. This leads to destruction of racks after 5–10 thousand km due to incompatible hardnesses.
Make sure the wheel bearings are in order|Check the condition of the ball joints|Replace the oil bumpers on the struts|Check the wheel alignment after lowering-->
3. Brake system: when factory brakes are not enough
Standard brakes Murano Z52 (front discs 320 mm, rear 302 mm) cope with city driving, but after chip tuning or installing a turbine they have to be upgraded. Signs that your brakes need an upgrade:
- 🔥 Appearance smoke from the pads after 3-4 intense braking.
- 📉 Magnification braking distance by 20–30% when heated.
- 💧 Brake fluid leaks on the calipers.
Tuning solutions:
| Kit | Applicability | Cost (RUB) |
|---|---|---|
Brembo GT (front 6-piston calipers + discs 355 mm) | Turbo versions, track day | 250 000–350 000 |
| EBC Yellowstuff (pads) + Grooved discs | City + easy tuning | 50 000–80 000 |
StopTech Sport (discs 332 mm + pads) | Universal upgrade | 120 000–180 000 |
What happens if you don’t change the brake fluid after tuning?
At increased loads, standard fluid DOT 4 boils already at 230–250°C, which leads to a “wobbly” brake pedal. In a critical situation, this increases the braking distance by 50–70%. After upgrading the brakes, be sure to fill DOT 5.1 or Motul RBF 600 (boiling point 312°C).
4. Exterior: how to make the Murano Z52 more aggressive
Factory design Murano Z52 Many people find it too "soft". Exterior tuning allows you to give the crossover a sporty or brutal character. Popular destinations:
- 🎨 Vinyl sticking: Full wrap matte black or satin blue vinyl (3M 1080 or Oracal 970RA) is worth
80,000–150,000 rub..
- 🚗 Body kits: Sets from Stillen or Duraflex (front bumper, skirts, spoiler) add sportiness.
- 💡 Optics: LED headlights from Morimoto or Diode Dynamics improve lighting and appearance.
- 🔄 Radiator grille: Replacement with mesh grid (For example, T-Rex) makes the front more aggressive.
Lifehack: before covering with vinyl, be sure to remove bumpers and headlights - this will avoid Peeling of the film at the joints after 1–2 years. In Moscow and St. Petersburg such work costs 15,000–25,000 rub. additional, but pays off in durability.
The most budget-friendly way to transform Murano Z52 — Tinted rear lights smoky color (film LLumar) and install LED license plate illumination. It's worth it 5,000–8,000 rub., but visually makes the car more expensive.
5. Interior: comfort and technology
Salon Murano Z52 initially spacious, but after 5 years of operation the materials wear out and the multimedia becomes outdated. Interior tuning includes:
- 🪑 Seats: Replacement with Recaro Sportster CS or skin wrapping Alcantara with red lines.
- 🎛️ Steering wheel: Installation Momo Mod. 78 or Sparco P310 (requires airbag adapter).
- 📱 Multimedia: Replacing the standard system with Android Auto (For example, Pumpkin A9) with support Apple CarPlay.
- 🔊 Acoustics: Kits Focal PS 165 (front) + JL Audio 10W3v3 (subwoofer) transform the sound.
Attention: ⚠️ When replacing the steering wheel with a non-standard one airbag turns off, if you do not use the original adapter Nissan (article 28531-4M000). This violates the traffic rules (clause 7.18) and may cause denial of insurance in the event of an accident.
6. Wheels and tires: balance between style and practicality
Factory wheels Murano Z52 (18" or 20") are often replaced with wider or lighter ones. Main rules when choosing:
- 🔧 Bolt pattern:
5×114.3 (compatible with Infiniti QX60 And Nissan Pathfinder).
- 📏 Departure (ET): Optimal
ET35–ET45 for 19" And ET40–ET50 for 20".
- 🚗 Tires: For the city - Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (
235/55 R20), for off-road - BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Popular disk options:
Model Size Weight (kg) Price per set (RUB) Enkei PF05 19×8.5 ET409.8 120 000–150 000 VMR V710 20×9 ET3511.2 180 000–220 000 BBS CH-R 18×8 ET458.5 200 000–250 000
Warning: ⚠️ Installation of disks wider 9J on Murano Z52 requires rolling out the arches (cost 15,000–20,000 rub. per axle). Without this, the tires will touch the wheel arch liners when the steering wheel is turned completely.
7. LED lighting: legal and effective
Standard halogen headlights Murano Z52 dim, and LED lamps often blind oncoming drivers. Legal ways to improve light:
- 💡 LED lamps: Osram LEDriving HL or Philips X-tremeUltinon (certified for
ECE R112).
- 🔦 Xenon: Kits Morimoto Mini D2S (requires installation homologated lenses).
- 🌃 DRL: Oracle Lighting in turn signals or bumper (allowed according to GOST
R 51709-2001).
Important: Use of non-certified LED lamps (for example, aliexpress) faces a fine 500 rub. (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code) and refusal to undergo technical inspection. Check for the sign E or EAC on the packaging.
8. Tuning mistakes: what kills the Nissan Murano Z52
Even experienced tuners sometimes make mistakes that reduce service life. Murano Z52. Top 5 fatal decisions:
- 🔥 Installing a turbine without strengthening the engine: Pistons and connecting rods VQ35DE not designed for pressures higher
0.7 bar. If exceeded - block break.
- 🛑 Lowering on springs without adjustable shock absorbers: Leads to sagging of the rear after 20 thousand km.
- 🔊 Installing powerful acoustics without amplifying doors: Vibrations destroy window regulators.
- ⚡ Ignoring ECU errors after chip tuning: Codes
P0300 (misfire) or P0171 (lean mixture) require immediate firmware correction.
- 🚗 Saving on wheel alignment: After lowering or replacing arms wrong angles They eat up tires in 5 thousand km.
Before any tuning Nissan Murano Z52 check the condition timing chains. At a mileage of >150 thousand km, it stretches, and with increasing power, the risk of breakage increases 3 times.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to install a diesel engine on the Murano Z52?
Technically possible, but impractical. For replacement VQ35DE for diesel (for example, 2.3 dCi from Navara) you will need:
- Replacement of the gearbox (diesel torque is 30% higher).
- Reworking engine mounts.
- New wiring and ECU.
Cost of refurbishment - 800,000–1,200,000 rub., which is comparable to buying a diesel crossover on credit.
What is the most budget tuning for Murano Z52?
Top 3 inexpensive improvements (up to 50,000 rub.):
- Installation LED lamps in dimensions and brake lights (
3,000–5,000 rub.).
- Pasting chrome elements black film (
10,000–15,000 rub.).
- Replacing the air filter with nulevik (K&N 33-2283,
6,000–8,000 rub.).
Do I need to register tuning with the traffic police?
According to the law (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399), changes that affect vehicle design:
- ✅ Required: replacement of the engine, change in ground clearance >50 mm, installation of gas equipment.
- ❌ Not necessary: tinting, wheels within acceptable sizes, LED lamps with certificate.
For illegal tuning - a fine 500–800 rub. (Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code) or removal of numbers until the violations are eliminated.
What oil to pour after chip tuning?
After increasing power >280 hp. recommended:
- Motul 300V 5W-40 (for turbo versions).
- Liqui Moly Leichtlauf 5W-40 (for atmospheric VQ35DE with firmware).
- Red Line 5W-30 (for high speeds).
Replacement interval - 7,000–8,000 km (against 10,000 km in stock).
Where to order Murano Z52 tuning in Russia?
Top 5 verified workshops:
City Workshop Specialization Moscow Carville Tuning Engine, turbo kits St. Petersburg N-Tune Suspension, exterior Yekaterinburg Ural Customs Body tuning Novosibirsk SibChiptune ECU firmware Kazan Tatarstan Auto Interior, acoustics